3 Things For August 3rd, 2023
Being wrong. Please don’t forget the redirects! What about those QR codes?
I hope I’m wrong.
I’m always wrong; at least, I hope I am. And that is why you should hire me (us). Let me explain….
Traditionally, I’ve loved being right. A deep, nuanced, conversational debate is my favorite past-time. But for quite some time I’ve found that there isn’t much that is absolutely true (maybe nothing). On most subjects I can find two opposing views “right” in their own way. Devil’s advocate anyone? 
What is right, right now, may be wrong tomorrow….or better put: there’s a good chance that a better answer exists sometime very soon.
Further, if I’m not willing to be wrong, I’m not growing or learning.
“Stay safe, do the same things you’ve always done, and magic happens”….said no one ever.
So, at Strategy 3, we are wrong for 3 very right reasons:
1. What is right is subjective
2. Being wrong means we’re growing and learning
3. Creativity and magic happen when we break free from the known
The Importance of Redirects When Restructuring Websites
In the digital world, maintaining a smooth and seamless user experience is paramount. One critical aspect that people often overlook during site restructuring or modifications is implementing redirects. Redirects are essential as they guide your website’s visitors from an old or non-existing page to a relevant new one, thus ensuring an uninterrupted user journey. Without them, visitors encounter 404 ‘Page Not Found’ errors, leading to user frustration, a potential decrease in trust, and a higher website bounce rate.
From an SEO perspective, redirects play a significant role in preserving the page’s authority and maintaining your search engine rankings. When a webpage is deleted without a proper redirect in place, the link equity it has amassed from other sites linking to it over time will be lost. This can harm your website’s overall domain authority and consequently, your search engine ranking. By utilizing redirects, the link equity is passed onto a new page, preserving your website’s SEO value.
In conclusion, while restructuring a website or modifying pages, it’s crucial to pay attention to the implementation of redirects. These navigational aids not only provide a superior user experience but also help in retaining your hard-earned SEO rankings. The next time you’re planning to restructure your site, remember to map out a solid redirect strategy – your users and your search rankings will thank you.
When to QR Code, when not to QR Code
This is a great article about the rise and fall of QR Codes, and the impacts of the pandemic to their use: qrcode-tiger.com/are-qr-
I can remember vividly, 12 years ago, being told to put QR codes on everything I was designing, honestly, I fought it like crazy. They drove me nuts! They were clunky, the QR Reader apps dropped ads over the top of content, it just wasn’t good. And they somewhat disappeared.
Well, technology and the pandemic brought QR codes back. And, I have to say, I don’t hate them (as much). Websites are now mobile-friendly, and our phone’s camera app can scan the code and opens to the website or other info source right in a browser.
So, when do you add a QR code and when do you avoid it.
Restaurants: yes, have a QR code to your menus, but please, keep those paper menus – it’s nice to have a date night without a phone!
Galleries, museums, and tours: Scan a code at an exhibit and immediately see or hear about what they are viewing. Endless possibilities!
Events! I attended a “College Preview Day” at Central Washington this spring. They used QR codes throughout the day to access the event schedule, campus map, and link to the different degree/program information. As much as I hate to admit it, it was slick and their target audience (high schoolers) are used to everything being on their phone. There is so many options, from the event posters to the materials at the event. Think through your use, you probably don’t want auction attendees paying more attention to their phones to read than they do the auction itself.
Business Banners: I am cringing, not cringing here. If the user is going to gain something valuable for scanning the QR Code, go for it. But if the banner is in the back of your booth and you’re standing in front of it with other items, skip it and let the banner be a nice clean logo presentation.
The bottom line. Think about your audience and what they will gain if they scan your QR code. Make sure it is value added from their perspective.
And, two more thoughts.
Your QR code to your primary website is just like a domain name. If you have downloaded it once, it should stay connected to your website forever. Make sure you are getting your code from a quality QR code generator, be careful, free is not always free. Some free sites allow a certain number of scans before it “turns off.” If you are committing to a QR code, be sure to check the fine print. And, make sure whoever downloads it for you puts it in your name and contact info, so if the person disappears, you still have access to the code.
Scanning codes also can be tracked. Different generators offer different options, but if you are looking track results, this could be a great tool. Again, check the fine print for the QR code generator, the options vary based on plan pricing.
Enjoy your August!
